10 May 2005

PNG police shut down unlicensed Australian satellite link

7:38 am on 10 May 2005

Papua New Guinea's Police Commissioner Sam Inguba has authorised the shut down of an Australian-funded satellite dish at a police communications centre in the capital.

The news agency, Australian Associated Press, reports PNG Police Association members described the installation as a "spy satellite dish", at a station in Port Moresby to send information about PNG police operations back to Australia.

But senior PNG and Australian police refute this, saying the dish is for internet access.

Commissioner Inguba says the satellite dish has been deactivated on advice from the National Security Advisory Council because it was unlicensed.

The Australian Assisting Police Commander Barry Turner has admitted the dish wasn't licensed, but describes the incident as a storm in a teacup which has hopefully now been resolved.